Print Bookmark

Histories

» Show All     «Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 14» Next»     » Slide Show

Haring Donia (1323 - 1403)

Haring Harinxma (1323 - 1404) was a powerful Frisian chieftain and Schieringer that lived during the 13th and early-14th centuries. Haring also used the surname Donia, and is considered the patriarch of this well known Frisian family. Another title used by Haring was thoe Heeg meaning 'of Heeg', where he was born and lived.

The Schieringers elected him potestate of Westergo (southwest corner of Friesland, modern Wymbritseradeel), together with Sjoerd Wiarda, van Gotum of Oostergo (eastern region of Friesland) in the struggle against the count of Holland in 1399. The appointment of Potestates aligned with the Schieringers lead to renewed factionalism between the Vetkopers and the Schieringers. Seventeen 'Landsheeren' (sovereign lords) or Potestates served Friesland, from Magnus Forteman in 809 until the last, Juw Dekama, van Baard in 1494.1

Continued 'bloody' factionalism between the Schieringers and the Vetkopers finally resulted in the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, installing Albert, Duke of Saxony (b. 1443) as hereditary governor of Friesland in 1498.

The Monk/Historian Petrus Thaborita writes in 1500 about "Haghe Haringfma", who was a Commander ("houeling").

According to the Charterbook, Haring Donia signed at the inauguration of the Dutch Count Aelbrecht in Stavoren in 1398 for the South West Corner of Friesland.

In 1401 he cosigned the peace of Bolsward between Friesland and Holland. Haring Donia died in 1403.

His sons Douwe, Epo, Aggo, and Sierck founded four branches of the family:

Harinxma thoe Heeg,
Harinxma thoe Ijlst,
Harinxma thoe Sneek,
Harinxma thoe Donia.

Only the baronial Slooten branch survives today. Haring Harinxma (Haring Donia) was the fourth great grandfather of the legendary friese freedom fighter Pier Gerlofs Donia (alias Grutte Pier).

The Bangma - Feenstra - Langenberg families are descendants of Haring's son Douwe Harinxma.

Harinxma thoe Heeg, Douwe
Harinxma thoe Ijlst, Epo
Harinxma thoe Sneek, Aggo
Donia Sierck

Sources and References

*Burmania, Upcke van, Frisicae nobilitatis genealogia, Rijksarchief Friesland, Leeuwarden, Van Eysinga-Vegelin van Claerbergen Family Archive, inventory no. 1323b, f. 47, Harinxma.

*Haan Hettema, M. de and A. van Halmael. Stamboek van den Frieschen, vrogeren en lateren Adel. Leeuwarden: D. Meindersma, 1846.

1. Beknopte geschiedenis van Friesland, in hoofdtrekken; bevattende een overzigt van de lotgevallen der Friezen en van de voornaamste gebeurtenissen, gedurende bijna tweeduizend jaren in dit land voorgevallen, by Wopke Eekhoff. Publisher: Te Leeuwarden, W. Eekhoff, 1851.
Frisian Potestaat

The concept of a local man empowered to represent the Emperor was also a feature of medieval Frisia. From apocryphal beginnings, important rights were granted or confirmed under the code of law known as the Lex Frisionum.

According to later tradition, it was Charlemagne who granted the Frisians the title of freemen and permitted them to choose their own podestat (Dutch: Potestaat) or imperial governor from among the chieftains, to organize and lead the defense of two of the three districts of Frisia, in Middle Frisia, from the Flie to the Lauwers and in East Frisia from the Lauwers to the Weser, later the County of Ostfriesland

The Frisians probably became aware of the Italian title of podestà (Dutch: potestaat, German: Potestat, English: potestate) during the Sixth Crusade in 1228. According to privileges that were falsely ascribed to the Carolingian era, the potestate was chosen by council and he must be able to slay knights. Apocryphal historical writtings mention the potestate as early as Norsemen times.

The only potestates chosen to lead Friesland between the Vlie and Lauwers were Juw Juwinga (1396) and Juw Dekema (1494), both were chosen by the Schieringers. However, in 1399 the districts of Westergo and Oostergo elected potestates, Haring Harinxma (Haring Donia) and Sjoerd Wiarda respectively, in the struggle against the count of Holland.

The title only became well known outside of Friesland with the installation of Albrecht of Saxony as hereditary potestate in 1498; the Frisians chose Jancko Douwama as their imperial stadtholder in 1522.

Owner of originalBurmania, Upcke van, Frisicae nobilitatis genealogia, Rijksarchief Friesland, Leeuwarden, Van Eysinga-Vegelin van Claerbergen Family Archive, inventory no. 1323b, f. 47, Harinxma
Linked toHaring DONIA

» Show All     «Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 14» Next»     » Slide Show





This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding v. 13.0.3, written by Darrin Lythgoe © 2001-2024.

Maintained by Eric Langenberg.